Democrats dominate Election 2012

Maine and New Hampshire voters helped President Barack Obama win a second term by defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

“When voters saw President Obama and (New Jersey Gov.) Chris Christie together (after Superstorm Sandy), putting politics aside for the good of the people, it was a symbolic moment that reflected where Americans want their politics to be,” said Jim Demers, co-chairman of the Obama campaign in New Hampshire. “That stood in stark contrast to Mitt Romney's 47 percent comment.”

In the New Hampshire governor's race, former state Sen. Maggie Hassan of Exeter trounced Republican Ovide Lamontagne. For Congress, Carol Shea-Porter won her rematch with Republican incumbent Frank Guinta in District 1 and Ann Kuster beat Republican Charlie Bass in District 2.

The state's House and Senate, both overwhelmingly Republican, were trending toward a Democratic House and with the Senate split 12-12 at press deadline.

Maine voters gave a resounding vote of confidence to former Gov. Angus King, an independent, who easily bested Republican Charlie Summers and Democrat Cynthia Dill. First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Second District Congressman Mike Michaud also sailed to easy re-election victories.

For the first time anywhere in the nation, Maine's voters also passed a referendum making same-sex marriage legal.

Unofficial results showed Maine Democrats taking the House while the Senate was too close to call.

Nationally, Democrats retained control of the Senate with surprising ease. Republicans were on course for the same in the House, making it likely that Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Obama's partner in unsuccessful deficit talks, would reclaim his seat at the bargaining table.

Jim Splaine, a longtime Portsmouth state representative, accurately predicted the night's races in his June 24 Portsmouth Herald column.

“People look at the polls too much,” Splaine said. “I look at the mood of the people. Two years ago people thought the Democrats were arrogant. This time it was a reaction to the tea party arrogance. (House Speaker) Bill O'Brien created that mood in New Hampshire and it was happening nationally as well.”

Henry Sonneborn of Rye said he voted for Obama because of policies like the Affordable Care Act.

“I think he's been a courageous, intelligent president,” he said.

Dr. Everett Lamm, chairman of the Stratham Democrats, said, “It has taken four years to move this country in the right direction. We need to keep moving forward. As a pediatrician, (Obamacare) is great for children because it enables children with pre-existing conditions to get the coverage they need and the care they need.”

Demers, who will cast one of New Hampshire's four electoral votes for Obama, said the Democrats had a good ground game energized by union workers upset by proposed Right-to-Work legislation and other attempts to undermine them.

“We have hundreds more people on the ground this time,” said Diana Lacey, president of SEA Local 1984. “People feel committed to taking back the state. It's more personal this time.”

Joanne Dowdell, a Portsmouth businesswoman who will join Demers in casting an electoral vote for Obama, credited the Democrats' ground game.

“A lot of work was done in the early part of the campaign,” she said. “The team put together here in New Hampshire was just exemplary.”

Reflecting on Hassan's win, Steve Marchand, a former Portsmouth mayor and political consultant, said Hassan's pledge to oppose an income and sales tax, and to veto one should it come to her desk, made all the difference.

“I think you're seeing the next generation of Jeanne Shaheen and John Lynch's successful model,” Marchand said. “She ran a good, no-nonsense race and this certainly puts wind in the sails of proponents of the pledge.”

The outcome in Maine's same-sex marriage referendum broke a 32-state streak, dating back to 1998, in which gay marriage had been rebuffed by every state that voted on it.

In Kittery, Justine Hargreaves said she voted for both President Obama and “yes” on Question 1.

“I believe in equal rights for women,” Hargreaves said. “I think (Obama) has done a pretty good job so far.”

Alex Brennen, 21, was holding a handmade sign supporting Question 1 at the entrance to York High School.

“I don't believe in labels,” she said. “Love is love.”

Reporters Suzanne Laurent and Joey Cresta contributed to this story, which also contains material from The Associated Press.

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